975. All Hope is Gone - Slipknot

The book alleges that this is Slipknot's most accessible album. Heavily caveated though this claim is, there was still trepidation when playing it, due to the proximity of a four month old baby to proceedings. If she grew up with anger-management issues, could it have started here?

Following the success of their first three albums, Slipknot returned to their home state of Iowa to record, and all nine members of the band were actively involved in the songwriting process. The band became more overtly political on this album, and it was the first of their albums to reach Number 1 in the US, going platinum. Whilst critically acclaimed, several members of the band have distanced themselves from the recording, showing disappointment with the quality of production by Dave Fortman.

Psychosocial was the big hit off the album, and that bouncy, singalong chorus makes it pretty obvious why it sold so well. Whilst the lyrics are predictably teenage angsty, the guitar sound is pretty cutting, and the percussion predictably intense. Dead Memories is also pretty accessible, with Corey Taylor's voice sticking to singing rather than screaming, and a post-chorus section that really slows things down and almost puts this in the ballad category. Vendetta is a chuggernaut of a song, with some high hat and cymbal crashes about the only respite, but it carries it well with some call and response, fist in the air sections that I'm sure went down a treat at Download. Butcher's Hook is more like the first album's material, and actually doesn't work as well as the more modern material to my ears; the use of sound effects makes it sound more dated. Gehenna is based on what sounds remarkably like a Metallica riff, and builds into a relatively delicate chorus, whereas This Cold Black is an all-out shout-athon. Snuff is an actual rock ballad, more acoustic guitar than distortion pedal, which is a bit disconcerting from this band.

This album is certainly much more accessible than the Slipknot debut, and has a variety to it that demonstrates their musical abilities. Whilst lyrically it is still a bit under-baked, it is interesting to hear the band trying to deal with political issues, and it adds further depth to the sound. Whilst not an album I will regularly be reaching for, there are a couple of tracks that are relatively easy listening, and I could happily put on a regular playlist. I didn't even get that worried about the impact of this music on my daughter's mental health. Given my expectations, that is high praise indeed.

Chloe's album rating: 5
Chloe's favourite track: 4. Dead Memories
Olly's album rating: 7
Olly's favourite track: 3. Psychosocial

Next week is 41. A Hard Day's Night by The Beatles; an album much more suitable for a four month old. And a 31 year old for that matter.